Wall panel joint cap construction



July 11, 1967 G. c. RUSSELL WALL PANEL JOINT CAP CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1965 IN VENTOR.

y 1967 sic. RUSSELL WALL PANEL JOINT CAP CONSTRUCTION Filed Anril l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GORDON C. RUSSELL I gent y 11, 1967 5. c. RUSSELL WALL PANEL JOINT CAP CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 12, 1965 INVENTOR. GORDON C. RUSSELL Agent United States Patent 3,336,084 WALL PANEL JOINT CAP CUNSTRUCTION Gordon C. Russell, Studio City, Calif, assignor to Loci;- heed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, Calif. Fiied Apr. 12, W65, Ser. No. 447,191 7 Claims. (Cl. 52-301)) This invention is directed to a joint cap particularly arranged to retain modular building panels in associated relationship.

There is a tremendously increased interest in the field of modular building construction wherein individual wall panels are placed adjacent each other and are suitably secured to a foundation and a roof so as to quickly and economically create an enclosure. These enclosures are. useful for homes, factories, storage and public buildings. However, the efiiciency resulting from modular building construction wherein the building is made of panels of predetermined size and shape depends primarily upon the proper securement of the panels in proper relationship to each other so that the building can both be quickly assembled and when assembled forms a rigid unitary structure.

The present invention is directed to a panel joint cap which is arranged so that it locks to adjacent prefabricated wall panels so as to maintain them in associated relationship. The adjoining wall panels are provided with a top plate which contains locking openings therein and the panel joint cap is of such nature as to embrace the top plate and engage in the openings so as to inhibit motion of the wall panels with respect to each other either in a direction parallel to the face of the wall panels or at right angles to these faces. The panel joint cap is retained in position by means of other structural elements which hold the modular panels in their appropriate places so that loading on the cap tends to maintain the cap locked to the panels and tends to hold the panels locked with respect to each other.

Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel panel joint cap which inter-engages with adjacent modular wall panels to firmly hold them in associated relationship.

It is another object of this invention to provide panel joint caps which are adaptable to hold prefabricated panels in end to end relationship, in corner relationship and in T intersection relationship.

it is another object of this invention to provide panel joint caps which hold adjacent wall panels in their adjoining relationship and permit the attachment of roof members so that the roof load is spread to adjacent wall panels.

It is another object of this invention to provide a panel joint cap which is bolted in place by means of bolts which are employed in the integral wall panel modular construction system which bolts retain the joint caps in place and urge the panels in a rigidizing direction.

The features of the present invention which are be lieved to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric view showing a preferred embodiment of a panel joint cap in association with two edgewise related wall panels and arranged to carry and spread the load of a roof truss;

FIGURE 2 is a partial end elevational sectional view of the joint cap shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded isometric view similar to the view of FIGURE 1 wherein the panel joint cap is shown in association with two edgewise related wall panels and showing the manner of connection of a flat roof panel thereto;

FIGURE 4 is a partial vertical section of the joint cap shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded isometric view showing a panel joint cap of particular configuration for use in joining two panels forming a building corner; and

FIGURE 6 is an exploded isometric view showing a panel joint cap particularly arranged for retaining in association three building panels arranged in T configuration.

Referring now to the preferred embodiment of FIG- URES 1 and 2, the panel joint cap 1 is shown in its relationship to first and second wall panels 2 and 3 and to roof truss 4.

Each of the wall panels 2 and 3 is formed to an appropriate size and shape, preferably rectangular, of indigenous material 5. Each of the panels is edgewise dimensionally defined by means of frames 6 and 7, respectively, which extend around the panel and contain the indigenous material 5. As is seen in FIGURE 2, frame 7 is of generally channel shaped configuration having web 8 and flanges 9 and 10. Flanges 9 and 10 have offsets adjacent the web 8 so as to define spaces 11 and 12. Web 8 has a hemicylindrical recess 13 which is useful when that particular side of the panel is used adjacent the edge of another panel.

The indigenous material 5 is any material which is suitable for panel construction. The economics of the particular building location will dictate this material, and in some cases it will be concrete while in other cases it may be adobe clay or the like. In cases where compactable materials are not available or are unsuitable for the application, the indigenous material 5 may include plywood faces which may in turn have waterproof faces thereon with suitable packing therebetween having characteristics desirable for the application. Such packing may include expanded vermiculite, rock wool or whatever available material fits the needs.

Thus, wall panels 2 and 3 are of suitable size and configuration to be assembled together to form the side walls of a building. Such assembly is obtained by mounting a series of wall panels, of which wall panels 2 and 3 are illustrative, upon a suitable foundation or base supporting structure. The wall panels 2 and 3 and the other wall panels in this series are maintained in position by having bolt 14 extend from the foundation structure upon Which they are supported upwardly through the facing cylindrical recesses at the adjacent edges of the wall panel and out through the top of the wall structure. Top channels 15 and 16 are positioned, respectively, on the tops of wall panels 2 and 3 and embrace the top edges of frames 6 and 7. As is seen in FIGURE 2, channel 16 has a substantially planar web which extends across spaces 11 and 12 and across hemicylindrical recess 13. The flanges of top channel 16 extend downwardly to engage the flanges 9 and 10 of frame 7. Top channels 15 and 16 abut each other at the adjoining edges of wall panels 2 and 3 and each has a hemicylindrical opening at its end so as to permit the passage of bolt 14. Each of the top channels 15 and 15 has an opening adjacent its end directly over the hemicylindrical recess 13.

Panel joint cap 1 is in the form of a channel having web 18 and flanges 19 and 24). The channel is of such dimension as to fit over the top channels 15 and 16 so that flanges 19 and 29 closely embrace the flanges thereon. Cap 1 is provided with opening 21 through which bolt 14 extends and is provided wiht tongues 22 and 23 which extend into the openings in top channels 15 and 16, the opening in top channel 16 being shown at 17. Thus, by the embrace of flanges 19 and 20 upon the top channel, the top channels are retained with respect to each other in a direction at right angles to the faces of panels 2 and 3 and by the engagement of tongues 22 and 23 and the openings in the panels 2 and 3 are retained with respect to each other in the direction parallel to the face-s. Roof truss 4 is comprised of ceiling bars 24 and roof bars 25 together with strengthening members 26 which form the structure of truss 4. Ceiling bars 24 are arranged with an opening therebetween for the entry of bolt 14. Tie clip 26'engages over ceiling bars 24 and around bolt 14. Nuts 27 engage bolt 14 and applies tension in the bolt. This tension pulls tie clip in ceiling bars 24 and pulls the ceiling bars against panel joint cap 1, draws panel joint cap 1 against top channels 15 and 16 to maintain engagement of flanges 19 and 20 therearound and engagement of tongues 22 and 23 in the openings in the top channels. The top channels engage upon the wall panels 2 and 3 to force them against the foundation structure or such other base as is provided below them and in which bolt 14 is engaged; Thus, a very rigid structure results which properly maintains the'wall panels 2 and 3 in place, as well as retains roof truss 4 thereon.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, a similar constructionis shown. In this construction, panel joint cap 28 is identical to panel joint cap 1. Furthermore, first and second wall panels 29 and 30 are identical to wall panels 2 and 3. Furthermore, top channels 31 and 32 are identical to top channels 15 and 16. In this case the openings in a the top channels 31 and 32 are both shown, and are respectively indicated at 33 and 34. Bolt 35 is secured below wall panels 29 and in the support or foundation therefor and extends'upward through the hemicylindrical openings in the butt ends of top channels 31 and 32, as is shown in FIGURE 3.

Panel joint cap 28 has opening 36 which embraces bolt 35, and when the panel joint cap is set in position on the top channels 31 and 32, tongues 37 and 38 enter into the openings 33 and 34 so that the panel joint cap 28 rigidly embraces the top channels 31 and 32 to retain them both axially and transversely of their own length. Thus wall panels 29 and 30 are rigidly retained in position. Ring nut 39 engages on the threads on bolt and retains the panel joint cap 28 in the described position.

Ring nut 39 has ring opening 40 therein which extends in a direction at right angles. to the axis of the threaded portion of ring nut 39. Roof panel 41 is constructed in the same general manner as wall panels 2, 3, 29 and 30 and thus is provided with a hemicylindrical recess 42 43 which extends from one face to the other across the edge and provides a notch in the hemicylindrical recess 42. Roof panel 41 is laid across the tops of the assembled wall panels and arranged so that ring nut 39 enters into notch 43. After the two adjoining roof panels are laid in butt edge relationship, roof panel connection bolt 44 is thrust through the facing hemicylindn'cal recesses, of which hemicylindrical recess 42 is one, and through the ring opening 40 entering nut 39. Roof panel connection in connector 81. Connector 81 has these three recesses along each of its edges. Roof panel 41 also contains notch bolt 44 is engaged and tightened at its ends with a panel joint cap similarto panel joint cap 28 so that the roof panels are secured together. Furthermore, the fact that root panel connection bolt '44 passes through the ring nut maintains the roof panels on the walls.

, Referring now to FIGURE 5, corner joint construction is shown therein between wall panels 45 and 46 which are identical to the wall panels previously described. Thus, the Wall panels 45 and 46 are made of indigenous materials and are framed in such a manner as to provide hemicylindrical recesses longitudinally along each edge thereof. Wall panels 45 and 46 are suitably'mounted upon a foundation at right angular relationship to each other, and special corner panel 47 is provided so as to make an appropriate right'angular corner association of the wall panels 45 and 46. The

foundation, or other suitable supporting structure, for

the building of which wall panels 45 and 46 are a portion, is provided with first and second upstanding bolts, one of which is shown at 48. Corner panel 47 is provided with hemicylindrical recesses '49 and 50' on its right angular facing edges. These recesses are related to the bolts so that the bolts, including bolt 48, are positioned thereinrwhen corner panel 47 is put in place. Wall panels 45 and 46 are also assembled against these bolts and are in butted relationship with corner panel 47 so that a corner structure is defined. Top channels 51 and 52 are placed On the top edges of the wall panels, in similar manner to those previously described, and top channels 51 and 52 form closures for the top edge hemicylindrical recesses and butt against the bolts extending upward from the foundation. Corner cap 53 is of L shaped configuration so as to extend over the top channels 51 and 52. Corner cap 53 has openings 54 and 55 which are positioned to accept the bolts extending upward in hemi-cylindrical recesses 49 and 50, so that opening 55 accepts bolt 58. When corner cap 53 is placed upon the top channels 51 and 52 and over the bolts, tongues 5-6 and 57 engage in appropriate openings in the top channels, the opening in top channel 51 being seen at 57. Thus, corner cap 55 forms secure locking of the' Wall panels 45 and 46 in their place in the building structure. Nut 58 engages upon bolt 48 so as to retain corner cap 53 in this position. A further nut is provided for the other bolt extending through opening 54.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, a further construction employing the panel joint cap of this invention is shown therein. In the construction of FIGURE 6, the panels are arranged so as to form a T shaped connection so that an additional wall can be secured at right angles to an otherwise straight wall. This construction is often necessary in the provision for interior partitions in a building. Wall panels 59 and 60 lie substantially'planar with respect to each other and wall panel 61 lies at substantially right angles to the plane of the wall panels 59 on adjoining faces and is arranged to occupy the space between the several bolts. Wall panels 59, 61 and 60', respectively, are engaged in butt joint connection to the faces having recesses 65, 66 and 67, respectively, so that the bolts also occupy the respective hemicylindrical recesses in these. panels.

Top channels 68, 69 and 70 are, respectively, positioned over the top frames of' the panels in the manner previously described so that they securely embrace the panel frames in a direction at right angles to the general plane of the panels. Top channels 68, 69 and 70 each have a hemicylindrical recess at their ends so that they engage about the adjacent bolts. 7 V

Paneljoint cap 71 is arranged in T shaped form so as to engage with each of the top channels 68, .69 and 70. Panel joint cap 71 is channel shaped in each of three directions so that it engages over the top channels. Panel joint cap 71 has openings 72, 73 and 74 which are suitably. arranged to accept and pass bolts 62, 63 and 64,

respectively. A nut, such as nut 75 on bolt 64, is engaged upon each of the bolts so as to hold panel joint cap .71 down in placenpon the top channels. Again panel joint cap 71 is provided with tongues, and in this case there are three tongues 76, 77 and 78 which are arranged to engage in openings in the top channels, in the manner previously discribed. Thus, tongue 76 engages in opening 79 and tongue 78 engages in opening 80. Furthermore, tongue 77 engages in a suitable opening in channel 70. Thus, panel joint cap 71 engages in such a manner as to hold all three panels 59, 60 and 61 in proper position and rigidly secure.

This invention having been described in its preferred embodiment, and several additional embodiments also disclosed, it is clear that this invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and changes without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A panel joint cap engaging and restraining a first and second wall panel comprising:

a Web and first and second flanges spaced apart integrally formed with and depending from said web, said panel joint cap having first and second ends, first and second tongues secured respectively to said Web adjacent said first and second ends, said tongues depending from said web and the web having a securement device opening intermediate the ends of said panel joint cap;

each of the first and second wall panels having first and second sides and having a top edge with a recess defined therein, a top channel positioned upon the top edge of each of said wall panels, said top channel having a web and first and second flanges, said first and second flanges embracing said wall panels and said first and second sides thereof, the top channels each having an opening, each of the joint cap tongues extending through each of the top channel openings, respectively, and into said recess and a securernent device being positioned between said panels and entering through said securement device opening, said first and second flanges on said panel joint cap respectively engaging over the first and second flanges of said top channels, said securement device urging said panel joint cap toward said top channels and urging said top channel flanges over said panel sides.

2. The panel joint cap of claim 1 wherein said securement device is a bolt, a nut on said bolt engaging said bolt so as to force said panel joint cap toward said panels.

3. The panel joint cap of claim 1 wherein said tongues are formed of the same piece of material as said web.

4. A building joint construction comprising:

first and second wall panels having a frame defining the edges thereof, said frame defining a recess along each of said wall panel edges, each of said wall panels having a first side and a second side;

a top channel positioned upon an upper edge of each of said wall panels, said top channel having a web and first and second flanges, said first and second flanges embracing said Wall panels and said first and second sides thereof, the top channels each having an opening;

a panel joint cap positioned over said top channels so as to engage said top channel in each of said wall panels, said panel joint cap being of channel shaped configuration and having a web and first and second flanges, said first and second flanges engaging over said first and second flanges of said top channels, a tongue secured to said Web of said panel joint cap and extending in the same direction as said flanges, said tongue extending within the top channel opening so as to restrain said top channel, the web of said panel joint cap having a securing device opening; and

a securing device extending between said first and second panels and through said securing device opening, said securing device engaging said panel joint cap and urging it in such direction as to maintain said panel joint cap in engagement with said top channels.

5. The joint construction of claim 4 wherein each of said tongues is integrally formed with said Web on said panel joint cap.

6. The joint construction of claim 4 wherein said recesses in said frame edges of said wall panels are hemicylindrical and said securing device is a cylindrical bolt, said cylindrical bolt being positioned partially in each of said hemicylindrical recesses, a nut on said bolt, said not urging said panel joint cap in engagement with said top channels.

7. The joint construction of claim 6 wherein a roof member rests upon said panel joint cap and said nut engages said roof member to retain said roof member upon said panel joint cap.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,056,810 3/1913 McDonald 5224l X 2,699,668 1/1955 Stein 52285 2,883,852 3/1956 Midby 52-241 X 3,055,460 9/1962 Maroney 52-241 X FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. R. S. VERMUT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PANEL JOINT CAP ENGAGING AND RESTRAINING A FIRST AND SECOND WALL PANEL COMPRISING: A WEB AND FIRST AND SECOND FLANGES SPACED APART INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH AND DEPENDING FROM SAID WEB, SAID PANEL JOINT CAP HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, FIRST AND SECOND TONGUES SECURED RESPECTIVELY TO SAID WEB ADJACENT SAID FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, SAID TONGUES DEPENDING FROM SAID WEB AND THE WEB HAVING A SECUREMENT DEVICE OPENING INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID PANEL JOINT CAP; EACH OF THE FIRST AND SECOND WALL PANELS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND SIDES AND HAVING A TOP EDGE WITH A RECESS DEFINED THEREIN, A TOP CHANNEL POSITIONED UPON THE TOP EDGE OF EACH OF SAID WALL PANELS, SAID TOP CHANNEL HAVING A WEB AND FIRST AND SECOND FLANGES, SAID FIRST AND SECOND FLANGES EMBRACING SAID WALL PANELS 